The State Minister of Trade Unions for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs L. Murugan said on Wednesday (July 23, 2025) that the government has taken various proactive measures to increase the representation of languages from Southern States to DD.
In a written response to Lok Sabha, the Minister said that DD has recorded consistent growth within the reach of the last few years. According to the industry estimates, since 2024, 49 million households have reached nationwide. This number was 33 million in 2018.
“The government has taken various proactive measures to increase the representation of South Indian language channels on free DD, including: For better regional representation, slots were reserved for South Indian language channels in e-auctions of free bowl (carried out in 2025),” she said.
The standard standards have been simplified to ensure greater participation of private operators in the southern area. “In addition, dedicated slots have been offered in recent e-auctions for channels Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. For three other South Indian private channels, see TV9 Telugu, Aastha Kannada & Aastha Telugu, were on board on board DD without April 2025,” he said.
Doorshan regional channels such as DD Tamil, DD Saptagiri, DD Chandana, DD Yadagiri and DD Malayalam have also joined their own regional channels. “The channels are technologically upgraded and better promoted to increase their visibility. In addition, there are 27 free DD channels that are passed on programs in various South Indian languages,” the answer said.
In response to another question, the Minister stated that the government has made measures to modernize and expand Akashvani and Doordarshan Kendras (DDK) across all states.
“Kendras is upgraded within the central sector-free-line system and network development.
The government also approved various projects for the modernization of broadcasting infrastructure in Bihar. “It includes the CRORE 64.56 GBP for Akashvani Kendras and Rs.4.31 Crore for the modernization of Doordarshan Kendras,” she said.
Published – 23 July 2025 22:01 is
